LETTERS: Do the teenagers of today know what it is meant to be of service?

To the editor:

A recent post on DailyOM.com triggered thoughts I have been thinking about all day. When my son was a teenager, he and his buddy would be out looking for odd jobs for money. Whether it be during the summer or winter they were asking for work. Allowances weren’t just given without chores being done or errands completed. As we move into the present, there are people here in our town, towns within the State and nation-wide where much of our teenage population aren’t serving/servicing their communities.

The elderly and people with disabilities could and would benefit from a helping hand. We aren’t asking for free service, we are willing to pay. The problem, as I see it, is that we don’t know where to look. Boy Scouts, 4H clubs or students from high school do not appear to be making the effort. There aren’t many students willing to do odd jobs or shovel walk-ways or ramps covered in snow.

Do the teenagers of today know what it is meant to be of service? Where do we find them? What do you think about the town offices offer to keep a list of the students or adults who are willing and able to work, with their phone numbers?

Sandy Yates Mathieson
Palermo